Wednesday, August 27, 2003

By Mike White, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

Woodland Hills has a rich tradition of talented halfbacks, and Steffan Brinson wants to become part of the tradition. If he does, he'll do it only one way.

Quickly.

Brinson, a 6-foot, 190-pound senior, is one of the fastest players in the state. As a sophomore, he won the WPIAL Class AAA championship in the 100-meter dash and was second last year to North Hills' Andrew Johnson. Brinson runs the 40-yard dash in 4.4 seconds.

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Brinson left Ambridge High after the first three games of last season and transferred to Woodland Hills. He saw little playing time with the Wolverines, backing up star senior Chris Morgan. With Morgan graduated, Brinson takes over as the starting halfback. He just might be the fastest runner Woodland Hills has had.

Brinson is off to a pretty good start. In Woodland Hills' final scrimmage last Friday against Butler, he scored three touchdowns.

"I know all about the running back tradition here and I'm hoping to just add to it," Brinson said.

Craig Thomas, Gerald Thompson, Melvin Cobbs, Kareem Dutrieuille and Chris Morgan are a few runners who became stars at Woodland Hills. Some of them played Division I football. Thomas played at Michigan State.

"I want to break the school record Chris set last year," Brinson said of Morgan, who had 1,963 yards in 15 games.

Last year was the first time in Brinson's career he sat on the bench.

"I knew I wasn't going to play much after moving in during the season," he said. "It was just a learning experience. I just watched Chris and he taught me a lot. But last year makes me want more yards this year. I want to make up for last year."

Pitt has offered Brinson a scholarship, but the Panthers want him as a defensive back. Brinson will not play defense for Woodland Hills. Cincinnati and Connecticut also have offered scholarships, but Brinson said he won't decide on a college until after the season.

"I want to play running back in college, but wherever I can fit into a system, I'll play," Brinson said.

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